The idea was to relocate from the current Dallas Municipal Building to a grand Beaux-Arts complex of city and federal offices, a convention center and cultural facilities.

This inclined façade interacts with the buildings it faces downtown and provides protection from the weather and Texas sun.

[6] The foundation and basement levels are considerably wider than the apparent footprint of the structure, extending out beneath the inclined facade.

[7] When Mayor Jonsson reacted to the apparent top-heaviness of the building's shape, 3 cylindrical pillars that appear to hold up the structure were created.

[7] Pei also persuaded the city to acquire an additional 6 acres in front of the building as a plaza and buffer zone for his grand public structure.

A 1,325 car parking garage was built beneath the plaza, and the extra income helped supplement the funding of the building.

[citation needed] A buff-colored concrete was chosen for the main building material; its color resembled local earth tones.

Since concrete was both the primary structural and finish material, close attention was paid to every aspect of its mix and placement.